Too often, the architecture that defines our landscape is razed to the ground and relegated to memory-condemned to be forgotten. In the rediscovery of these often hidden, sealed up or otherwise off-limits locations, I document our adventures through the photography presented here so that they may be remembered before it's too late.

This building was constructed in 1907 originally as the Stix Baer & Fuller department store. It closed in 2002 along with the adjacent Saint Louis Center mall. Currently it is awaiting conversion into lofts. The company who began the project went bankrupt and thus it sits mostly gutted.

The Continental Life Building had been abandoned for years, but it has been renovated and is now nearly finished. Only part of the first floor remains to be remodeled for some commercial space. I managed to get inside and immediately proceeded to check every floor for anything interesting, but I was a few years too late to see it abandoned. It's a nice building and the view from the roof is the only of its kind in the area. It is definitely the tallest building in this part of town.

I had to dodge a few construction workers, but I managed to thoroughly explore it from the basement all the way to the roof, including the first floor which was undergoing construction at the time of my visit. Naturally, I was compelled to get into their office for a shot of the floorplan. When I was almost done, a cleaning crew spotted me coming back into the topmost suite, from the roof. As I headed for the elevators, the guy asked me if I was "looking for someone". I don't know who he thought I could have been looking for, on the roof, but I'm sure we could have had an interesting conversation out there, high above the traffic.

This is the topmost suite, with roof access at either end. The adjacent suite used to belong to the Falstaff Brewing Company, but it is now occupied by someone else.

About Me

Disclaimer

This blog is dedicated to the pursuit of adventure and features urban exploration in Saint Louis, Missouri and beyond.

1. With the exception of historical photos, all of the photographs here are copyrighted and not to be used for any purpose without my consent. The historical imagery is courtesy of the Historical Society or as otherwise noted.

2. "Don't try this at home." I absolutely will not be held responsible for anyone else's stupidity. I do not recommend anyone try visiting any of these locations. Sometimes I am granted access to the things you see here and attempting to follow in my footsteps may get you arrested, hurt or killed.

3. I do not condone or tolerate: vandalism, theft, littering or any other disrespectful activity in any of these locations. I have the utmost respect for the history of these locations and for the history of my city, Saint Louis. "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."

4. Do not ask me for (or post) specific location information. If identifying information is not provided in the post, there's usually a good reason for that. Any information will be provided either at the time of posting, or updated years later, at my discretion.